There’s a sweet, full-circle moment in the Breeders series finale on FX that wouldn’t have been possible without the rage, narcissism, and dereliction of Paul Worsley (Martin Freeman) these past four seasons. After years of dissecting and addressing the very worst traits of fatherhood, it’s a well-earned payoff that not many — if any — other series have accomplished.
The world is full of bad TV fathers, thanks to the one-dimensional Frank Gallaghers and Homer Simpsons out there. It’s also rife with aspirational TV Land dads like Jack Pearson or Philip Banks. But where are the complicated dads? The ones who try their best but continuously fail? Who are ready to give up? Those who represent the real-life complexities of modern-day fatherhood and all of the exhaustion, anger, love, and existential questions that come with it?...
The world is full of bad TV fathers, thanks to the one-dimensional Frank Gallaghers and Homer Simpsons out there. It’s also rife with aspirational TV Land dads like Jack Pearson or Philip Banks. But where are the complicated dads? The ones who try their best but continuously fail? Who are ready to give up? Those who represent the real-life complexities of modern-day fatherhood and all of the exhaustion, anger, love, and existential questions that come with it?...
- 9/25/2023
- by Amber Dowling
- Primetimer
Peacock is extending Will’s reign over Bel-Air, renewing the drama for a third season, TVLine has learned.
A dramatic reimagining of the iconic sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, this new series stars Jabari Banks as Will Smith, a troubled Philadelphia teen who moves into his aunt and uncle’s Los Angeles mansion in pursuit of a better life.
More from TVLineBo and Hope Return to Days of Our Lives -- Peter Reckell and Kristian Alfonso Reveal What Lured Them Back to SalemKnock at the Cabin: How to Watch the M. Night Shyamalan Horror HitMonk Reunion Movie Officially...
A dramatic reimagining of the iconic sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, this new series stars Jabari Banks as Will Smith, a troubled Philadelphia teen who moves into his aunt and uncle’s Los Angeles mansion in pursuit of a better life.
More from TVLineBo and Hope Return to Days of Our Lives -- Peter Reckell and Kristian Alfonso Reveal What Lured Them Back to SalemKnock at the Cabin: How to Watch the M. Night Shyamalan Horror HitMonk Reunion Movie Officially...
- 3/17/2023
- by Andy Swift
- TVLine.com
In 1990, an 11-year-old Tatyana Ali began portraying the role of Ashley Banks on the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Now, over 30 years later, Ali is taking on a new role on the set of the new TV drama Bel-Air which is a reimagined reboot of the classic NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. While the experience has been a joy for Ali, it has also been quite emotional. Here’s a look at why Ali couldn’t stop crying once she got on the set of Bel-Air.
Tatyana Ali takes on a new role in the ‘Bel-Air’ universe Tatyana Ali attends a “Bel-Air” premiere party I Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Of course, fans will remember that Ali’s character, Ashley, is the youngest daughter of Vivian and Philip Banks and the younger cousin of the show’s protagonist Will Smith. Ali played the role of Ashley Banks...
Tatyana Ali takes on a new role in the ‘Bel-Air’ universe Tatyana Ali attends a “Bel-Air” premiere party I Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Of course, fans will remember that Ali’s character, Ashley, is the youngest daughter of Vivian and Philip Banks and the younger cousin of the show’s protagonist Will Smith. Ali played the role of Ashley Banks...
- 3/13/2023
- by Danielle Gibson
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
“Bel-Air” showrunner and executive producer Carla Banks-Waddles says the show’s writers got the messages loud and clear from fans and the cast about what they’d like to see for Season 2 – and those ideas are being weighed and considered.
Peacock’s most-watched original series is back with a fresh new season, and Banks-Waddles says a lot of the storylines in Season 2 were a mix of writers’ ideas and what fans reacted to from Season 1.
“I think it was a combination of knowing the conversations we were having in Season 1,” Banks-Waddles told TheWrap. “[Writers] were like, ‘Oh, maybe that’s something to look harder at. What’s that storyline?’ People really loved Jazz and Hillary in Season 1. What is Uncle Phil doing now that he quit the D.A. race in Season 1? What was he doing before he did that? Just being able to organically look at everybody’s story, and...
Peacock’s most-watched original series is back with a fresh new season, and Banks-Waddles says a lot of the storylines in Season 2 were a mix of writers’ ideas and what fans reacted to from Season 1.
“I think it was a combination of knowing the conversations we were having in Season 1,” Banks-Waddles told TheWrap. “[Writers] were like, ‘Oh, maybe that’s something to look harder at. What’s that storyline?’ People really loved Jazz and Hillary in Season 1. What is Uncle Phil doing now that he quit the D.A. race in Season 1? What was he doing before he did that? Just being able to organically look at everybody’s story, and...
- 2/23/2023
- by Raquel "Rocky" Harris
- The Wrap
Peacock's revival of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" reunites us with some of our favorite characters, in new form. Newcomer Jabari Banks steps into Will Smith's shoes as Will, while Adrian Holmes plays Banks family patriarch Philip Banks. Vivian (Cassandra Freeman), Carlton (Olly Sholotan), Hilary (Coco Jones), and Ashley Banks's (Akira Akbar) roles have also been recast, while April Parker Jones plays Will's mother. And during the show's season one finale, we finally reunited with Will's father, Lou.
For those who don't remember, Lou (originally played by Ben Vareen) abandoned his family in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" when Will was just 5 years old, leaving Vy to raise Will on her own. Per Hilary, he was "a deadbeat who left him and his mom flat." Lou went on to become a trucker and was absent for most of Will's life until season four, episode 24 ("Papa's Got a Brand...
For those who don't remember, Lou (originally played by Ben Vareen) abandoned his family in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" when Will was just 5 years old, leaving Vy to raise Will on her own. Per Hilary, he was "a deadbeat who left him and his mom flat." Lou went on to become a trucker and was absent for most of Will's life until season four, episode 24 ("Papa's Got a Brand...
- 2/23/2023
- by Monica Sisavat
- Popsugar.com
After a stellar debut last year, Bel-Air — Peacock’s reboot of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air that featured Will Smith — returns Feb. 23 with a new showrunner, new supporting cast members, and an unexpected challenge: how does the Banks Family persuade a young Will Smith (Jabari Banks) to move back into their fancy mansion?
Here, star Adrian Holmes (who plays Will’s Uncle Phil Banks) talks about where the drama picks up after last March’s big finale — when Will realizes that everything he was told about his long lost dad Lou (Marlon Wayans) wasn’t true at all. Lou didn’t abandon his son; he was just serving time behind bars.
Three new episodes drop tomorrow, followed by a new episode each Thursday. The series hails from Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Universal Television, part of Universal Studio Group.
Deadline What’s the journey been like on this show?...
Here, star Adrian Holmes (who plays Will’s Uncle Phil Banks) talks about where the drama picks up after last March’s big finale — when Will realizes that everything he was told about his long lost dad Lou (Marlon Wayans) wasn’t true at all. Lou didn’t abandon his son; he was just serving time behind bars.
Three new episodes drop tomorrow, followed by a new episode each Thursday. The series hails from Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Universal Television, part of Universal Studio Group.
Deadline What’s the journey been like on this show?...
- 2/23/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
“Bel-Air,” the hit series that reimagines the 1990 sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” is coming back with its second season in February, and the characters have a slew of decisions to make according to the Season 2 teaser trailer.
“Life is a series of choices,” says character Will in the opening of the “Bel-Air” Season 2 trailer. The entire trailer is narrated by Will, who is played by Jabari Banks, as the video clip cuts to each of the show’s leads, with Will highlighting some of the challenges each character was faced with in the first season. “Push for what you want, or let people figure it out on their own,” says Will over a visual of Philip Banks, played Adrian Holmes.
You can watch the full teaser in the video above.
The one-hour drama series stars series regulars Banks, Holmes, Cassandra Freeman (Vivian Banks), Olly Sholotan (Carlton Banks), Coco Jones...
“Life is a series of choices,” says character Will in the opening of the “Bel-Air” Season 2 trailer. The entire trailer is narrated by Will, who is played by Jabari Banks, as the video clip cuts to each of the show’s leads, with Will highlighting some of the challenges each character was faced with in the first season. “Push for what you want, or let people figure it out on their own,” says Will over a visual of Philip Banks, played Adrian Holmes.
You can watch the full teaser in the video above.
The one-hour drama series stars series regulars Banks, Holmes, Cassandra Freeman (Vivian Banks), Olly Sholotan (Carlton Banks), Coco Jones...
- 11/17/2022
- by Raquel "Rocky" Harris
- The Wrap
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast will assemble on HBO Max on Thursday, November 19.
Will Smith took to social media Friday to announce a premiere date and trailer for the project.
In the unscripted special, Smith is joined by series regulars Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid, and Alfonso Ribeiro as well as recurring co-star DJ Jazzy Jeff for a family reunion on set in the Banks’ home for a look back at the groundbreaking show.
Recorded on the 30th anniversary of the original series premiere date, Smith also sat down with Janet Hubert, who originated the role of Aunt Viv, for the first time in 27 years for an emotional reunion and a candid conversation.
Sadly, James Avery — who played beloved family patriarch Philip Banks — died in 2013.
He is remembered in the clip from the special, as Smith recalls the beloved scene where Will realized his dad...
Will Smith took to social media Friday to announce a premiere date and trailer for the project.
In the unscripted special, Smith is joined by series regulars Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid, and Alfonso Ribeiro as well as recurring co-star DJ Jazzy Jeff for a family reunion on set in the Banks’ home for a look back at the groundbreaking show.
Recorded on the 30th anniversary of the original series premiere date, Smith also sat down with Janet Hubert, who originated the role of Aunt Viv, for the first time in 27 years for an emotional reunion and a candid conversation.
Sadly, James Avery — who played beloved family patriarch Philip Banks — died in 2013.
He is remembered in the clip from the special, as Smith recalls the beloved scene where Will realized his dad...
- 11/13/2020
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
It wouldn’t be a proper Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion without the original Aunt Viv, who arrives for a “candid conversation” with Will Smith in a newly released trailer for the highly anticipated HBO Max special.
As previously reported, Janet Hubert, whose behind-the-scenes issues with Will Smith led to her early departure as the original Vivian Banks, agreed to sit down with Smith for the upcoming special, which is set to premiere on Thursday, Nov. 19. The sneak peek, which dropped on Friday, features footage of Hubert on the Warner Bros. lot — and audible gasps from her former TV family...
As previously reported, Janet Hubert, whose behind-the-scenes issues with Will Smith led to her early departure as the original Vivian Banks, agreed to sit down with Smith for the upcoming special, which is set to premiere on Thursday, Nov. 19. The sneak peek, which dropped on Friday, features footage of Hubert on the Warner Bros. lot — and audible gasps from her former TV family...
- 11/13/2020
- by Ryan Schwartz
- TVLine.com
The ultimate guest just RSVP’d to HBO Max’s Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion special. Janet Hubert, whose behind-the-scenes issues with Will Smith led to her early departure as the original Aunt Viv, is sitting down with Smith on camera for the first time in 27 years.
Smith on Thursday shared two behind-the-scenes pictures from the highly anticipated special, including an emotional shot (above) of him sitting down with Hubert. He also shared this shot of the other cast members participating in the reunion: Tatyana Ali (Ashley), Karyn Parsons (Hilary), Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey), Daphne Maxwell Reid (Aunt Viv No.
Smith on Thursday shared two behind-the-scenes pictures from the highly anticipated special, including an emotional shot (above) of him sitting down with Hubert. He also shared this shot of the other cast members participating in the reunion: Tatyana Ali (Ashley), Karyn Parsons (Hilary), Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey), Daphne Maxwell Reid (Aunt Viv No.
- 9/11/2020
- by Andy Swift
- TVLine.com
James Avery will make a guest appearance in The Young and the Restless next month, reports suggest. Avery, who was a series regular on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air as family patriarch Philip Banks, will start work on the CBS daytime drama tomorrow (September 14), according to Entertainment Weekly. No details of his story arc have been revealed, but it is thought that Avery's scenes will air from October 12. Avery's other (more)...
- 9/14/2012
- by By Kate Goodacre
- Digital Spy
Philip Banks was a devoted father and a good uncle to Will Smith on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" two decades ago. James Avery, who brought Uncle Phil to such vibrant life, took on an entirely different role this week on "Grey's Anatomy" (Thu., 9 p.m. Et on ABC) playing an older man faced with losing his long-time partner.
In an emotionally packed farewell speech to him, Avery's character said that it had never been a fear of commitment that saw him wait so long to admit he loved him. "I was scared of this," he said. "Scared of how much I loved you. Scared of the feeling that I would never be able to find happiness without you."
All this talk of love finally got to be too much for Cristina, who stepped out of the room. Unfortunately for Emily, she stepped out as well to see if she could offer any consolation,...
In an emotionally packed farewell speech to him, Avery's character said that it had never been a fear of commitment that saw him wait so long to admit he loved him. "I was scared of this," he said. "Scared of how much I loved you. Scared of the feeling that I would never be able to find happiness without you."
All this talk of love finally got to be too much for Cristina, who stepped out of the room. Unfortunately for Emily, she stepped out as well to see if she could offer any consolation,...
- 3/16/2012
- by Jason Hughes
- Huffington Post
Philip Banks was a devoted father and a good uncle to Will Smith on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" two decades ago. James Avery, who brought Uncle Phil to such vibrant life, took on an entirely different role this week on "Grey's Anatomy" (Thu., 9 p.m. Et on ABC) playing an older man faced with losing his long-time partner.
In an emotionally packed farewell speech to him, Avery's character said that it had never been a fear of commitment that saw him wait so long to admit he loved him. "I was scared of this," he said. "Scared of how much I loved you. Scared of the feeling that I would never be able to find happiness without you."
All this talk of love finally got to be too much for Cristina, who stepped out of the room. Unfortunately for Emily, she stepped out as well to see if she could offer any consolation,...
In an emotionally packed farewell speech to him, Avery's character said that it had never been a fear of commitment that saw him wait so long to admit he loved him. "I was scared of this," he said. "Scared of how much I loved you. Scared of the feeling that I would never be able to find happiness without you."
All this talk of love finally got to be too much for Cristina, who stepped out of the room. Unfortunately for Emily, she stepped out as well to see if she could offer any consolation,...
- 3/16/2012
- by Jason Hughes
- Aol TV.
Now this is a story all about how my life got flipped-turned upside down. And I’d like to take a minute, just sit right there, I’ll tell you how I became obsessed with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Really, seriously obsessed. And, strangely enough, not until recently. Sure, I caught the show every once in awhile in the 1990s. But I never fully appreciated it until I was much older — and aware about Will Smith’s status as a superstar.
Prior to revisiting Fresh Prince a few years back, thanks to those TBS reruns, I never could call...
Prior to revisiting Fresh Prince a few years back, thanks to those TBS reruns, I never could call...
- 8/29/2011
- by Kate Ward
- EW.com - PopWatch
Uncle Phil died? Nope, actor James Avery is alive and well not only in real life but as a discussion topic on Twitter.
The actor 61-year-old actor known for playing Will Smith's wealthy and grumpy Uncle Philip Banks on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" is the latest victim of the Internet death hoax. Luckily, those stories aren't true.
"He just got a good laugh about the Internet rumor about him having a heart attack, which is absolutely false," manager Toni Benson tells Zap2it. "He is actually doing phenomenlly well."
In fact, the actor recently finished working on another project.
"He just did multiple episodes with his old castmate Alfonso Ribeiro of a series they hope that will be picked up for more," adds his rep.
So there you have it. Uncle Phil is fine, which is a relief.
Check out one of our favorite clips of him getting...
The actor 61-year-old actor known for playing Will Smith's wealthy and grumpy Uncle Philip Banks on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" is the latest victim of the Internet death hoax. Luckily, those stories aren't true.
"He just got a good laugh about the Internet rumor about him having a heart attack, which is absolutely false," manager Toni Benson tells Zap2it. "He is actually doing phenomenlly well."
In fact, the actor recently finished working on another project.
"He just did multiple episodes with his old castmate Alfonso Ribeiro of a series they hope that will be picked up for more," adds his rep.
So there you have it. Uncle Phil is fine, which is a relief.
Check out one of our favorite clips of him getting...
- 6/7/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
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